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Spider-Man...

There was some discussion in our forums yesterday about the highly anticipated release of the movie "Spider-Man" today. Well, my wife and I are fresh in from a viewing of said movie, and I thought I'd post a little something about it (I -really- want to bump that picture of myself further down the page :-).

As a big fan of the Spider-Man comics growing-up, I have to say that I was a bit leary of what the jump to the silver-screen would hold for poor Peter Parker. I can honestly say though that movie is wonderful. It doesn't hold exactly to the comic book storyline, but it is very close. So close that I can feel comfortable saying that any Spider-Man fan will like this movie. The special effects are awesome, the soundtrack is good and the choice of actors was spot-on. Way to go Marvel!

For anyone worried about their significant other liking the movie, let me say that there was just enough romance and heart-string tugging to satisfy my wife (who is not a huge Spider-Man fan). I guess that means that my wife and I give it two thumbs up. Now knock off work a bit early and go see it already!

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Wowzers
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#15290 Posted on: 05/04/2002 01:46 AM
I just got back from seeing it myself and can also heap some praise on the bonfire! This movie is actually close enough to the original storyline to satisfy me! I'll be going back for atleast one more trip to the theatre and will be picking up the DVD when it comes out!

That's two comic book movies in a row that they have done right! X-Men and Spiderman. The Spiderman movie is better in my opinon though!

Three Thumbs up for Me Myself and I.
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Sparkhard
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#15291 Posted on: 05/04/2002 09:37 AM
The movie was great. JJ was played perfectly as well as MJ and Peter.

I have been waiting most of my life for a Spiderman movie. This one has lived up to my expectations.

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DavidC
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#15292 Posted on: 05/04/2002 12:00 PM

Originally posted by Hooz As a big fan of the Spider-Man comics growing-up, I have to say that I was a bit leary of what the jump to the silver-screen would hold for poor Peter Parker. I can honestly say though that movie is wonderful. It doesn't hold exactly to the comic book storyline, but it is very close. So close that I can feel comfortable saying that any Spider-Man fan will like this movie. The special effects are awesome, the soundtrack is good and the choice of actors was spot-on. Way to go Marvel!

I enjoyed this movie, and completely agree with everything said here, except for the choice in actors. They were all fabulous in their respective roles, with one notable exception -- Spider-Man. Don't get me wrong, Tobey Maguire made one hell of a Peter Parker, but when he put on the suit he was just Perter Parker in tights. Where was the witty banter and casually colorful comments that make the web-slinger stand out. He was just played to seriously for someone with perspective gained from hanging upside down too much.

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Sparkhard
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#15293 Posted on: 05/04/2002 12:10 PM
DavidC, I agree that there wasnt as much witty comment as usual from spidey. But in the early days of him becomming spiderman he didnt have as many witty comments untill he got over his uncle Ben. In the Movie when Goblin crashes in on JJ spidey shoots JJ's mouth shut and says "let mommy and daddy talk for a minute"

Now, this is a glimpse of his witty comments. but remember that they had to squeeze about 4 months of comic into 2 hours. I believe that as the movies develope spiderman more we will see more of the witty comment.

Thats just my thoughts on that issue (an issue that was quite noticable for a spidey fan) I hope they develope that in the later movies.

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Since PP wins a science award at grad, I was somewhat disappointed that his tech knowledge was downplayed by having him develop webslinging biologically rather than technologically.

It's #2 after LoTR.

Paul

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widefault
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#15296 Posted on: 05/05/2002 08:22 PM
The organic shooters comes from the James "Titanic" Cameron scriptment, both he and Sam Raimi think that the the audience wouldn't believe that Peter Parker is smart enough to develop the cartridge shooters on his own. Guess that whole science whiz part of Peter doesn't matter.

I also have to take issue with casting. Kirsten Dunst doesn't work as MJ for me, and neither does Tobey as Maguire. My biggest issue is J. Jonah. J.K. Simmons doesn't do him justice. That's a part that should have been played by R. Lee Ermey, best known as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket.

Oh yeah, what the hell was with that lame Green Goblin costume?

&E

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Duronimo
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#15297 Posted on: 05/05/2002 11:39 PM

Originally posted by widefault Oh yeah, what the hell was with that lame Green Goblin costume?

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travisgrafx
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#15298 Posted on: 05/07/2002 09:51 PM
I loved the movie, but there were a few glaring points that caused the little evil me (the one that should just shut up and watch the movie) to jump up and down with glee.

In at least two places (MJ fall, and MJ and tram fulla a kids fall) Spidey manages to forego Newton's law of gravity, falling faster than the people he is rescuing (course he is a mutant spider, maybe they fall faster).

When he first climbs a wall he forgets to kick off his shoes.

And the effects were awesome but a few scenes (the fight on the balcony) resembled two guys in crappy tights halfheartedly dukeing it out (like the ole WHAM BLAMO batman tv series)

Other than that it kicked serious butt and it did the old spidey comic justice. I will now shutup and watch the damn movie (a second time).
"Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement."

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Hooz
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#15299 Posted on: 05/07/2002 10:03 PM
Actually, the "organic" web shooters and "claws" in his hands and feet (for climbing) came straight out of the Spiderman 2099 comic. As I think about it, so did the "genetically altered spider".

So it is all "real" Spiderman stuff, they just took the coolest parts of a few different Spidey comics.

Props to my brother for pointing out the Spierman 2099 similarities!
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Sparkhard
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#15300 Posted on: 05/07/2002 11:44 PM

Actually, the "organic" web shooters and "claws" in his hands and feet (for climbing) came straight out of the Spiderman 2099 comic.

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glitch
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#15301 Posted on: 05/11/2002 05:30 AM

Originally posted by travisgrafx In at least two places (MJ fall, and MJ and tram fulla a kids fall) Spidey manages to forego Newton's law of gravity, falling faster than the people he is rescuing (course he is a mutant spider, maybe they fall faster).

spoilers: if you've not seen it don't read this.

well, you can fall faster than other objects if you are more aerodynamic -- newton's law only applies in a vaccuum. that said, well yeah, he fell too fast. probably. she did have a dress on. as for the tram, he wasn't falling, he was swinging... ah who am i kidding. it's a comic book, one must be willing to accept some of these things.

but when he was given the choice of MJ vs. the kids, i was clapping when he said screw the kids and went after MJ. boy was i surprised (maybe even a little disappointed) when he grabbed both.

as for the witty banter of spiderman, i think it worked well as it was. he was witty early on, right before uncle ben was killed by darth vader... i mean, the car jacker, and look where that got him -- he still has a bit of evolving to do going from geekdom to attitude, so his understatedness seemed right to me.

speaking of movies, star wars is coming out soon you can real a really really bad review of it on the nytimes. the review is really well written.

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tablespace
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#15302 Posted on: 05/20/2002 09:41 PM
I saw Spiderman on Thursday. Yeah, I know I'm a little late but I don't like fighting the crowds and I absolutely will not sit anywhere but the sweet spot (two thirds up dead center).

I enjoyed it. I think they did it justice. You have to suspend disbelief but hey, it's a comic book. The genetically altered spider and the web stuff were very logical and believeable alterations. I always had a hard time buying PP ability to make webbing that holds thousands of pounds of pressure.

I have the same gripes. Kristen Dunst as MJ (don't know who else I'd cast though), Transformers style Goblin outfit and lack of witticism from PP. But as someone pointed out, he was still getting over Uncle Ben. The only other complaint I have is: Where the heck did he get the suit from? I cannot remember from the comic books. I will be going back for seconds.

My favourite superheroes growing up were Spiderman and Dr. Strange. Dr. Strange movie on the horizon? I'll be waiting...

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The only thing, it was a little...grotesque...the way his webbing now came from him. IIRC, one of the reasons Stan Lee went with mechanical web shooters in the comic was that having it be part of him just seemed too icky for the time (if I'm wrong, correct me- these are really old memories for me!). All told, seeing this made up for the bummer that SW Ep 2 turned out to be....

Anyone catch the preview for The Hulk? Looks like Marvel is on a roll.Nothing is true, everything is permitted.

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Longshot421
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#15304 Posted on: 05/28/2002 11:07 PM

Originally posted by Fr0st Anyone catch the preview for The Hulk? Looks like Marvel is on a roll.

You need quicktime for it. Like many diehard Spiderman fans, I've been waiting a long time for this and I wasn't disappointed at all, though I miss Gobby's floppy fuchia hat I think the movie did a great job of capturing the spirit of comic enjoyment, so I give a thumbs up and would see it again. If only for MJ's wet Tshirt scene. ARAGORN: 2x1900MP, 4x80GB WD (3Ware 7450 RAID), 1.2GB Crucial, WinXP Pro, Asylum GeForce4 Ti4600, BIOS v1010
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cdcote
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#15305 Posted on: 05/31/2002 08:46 PM
I guess I'm not surprised that people picked up on the webshooters, genetically-altered spider, etc., but does nobody else remember Gwen Stacey?

I really enjoyed the movie, but my biggest criticism is the typical Hollywood thinking -- don't make relationships complicated! In the comics, Peter was with Gwen Stacey and Harry with MJ -- the Green Goblin makes Spiderman choose between Gwen and the cablecar -- and when Spidey tries to do both, Gwen dies (he catches her with a web before she hits the water, but the whiplash effect of the drop-and-sudden-catch snaps her neck). That's when Spiderman goes after the Green Goblin and they have the fight to the end. Does Hollywood think that we're unable to appreciate more complex storylines?